Container-located information transfer module

ABSTRACT

Techniques are described herein that transfer information using a container-located module. The module is coupled to sensor(s) that are configured to detect characteristic(s) pertaining to a medical substance that is included in a medical container. The module wirelessly transfers information that is based on the characteristic(s) to a requesting device in response to a request from the requesting device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/662,217, filed Jun. 20, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Medical substances often are stored and/or transported using medicalcontainers, such as Petri dishes, test tubes, fluid bags, syringes, etc.A medical substance is a substance (e.g., gas, liquid, solid, etc.) thatis taken from an organism (e.g., a human body) and/or a substance thatis to be introduced into and/or onto an organism for a purpose thatpertains to health of the organism (e.g., for prevention, diagnosis,and/or treatment of a medical condition with regard to the organism).Medical substances that may be taken from an organism include but arenot limited to blood, feces, urine, bile, bone marrow, muscle tissue,skin, brain tissue, cartilage, ligament, bone, etc. Medical substancesthat may be introduced (e.g., injected, ingested, inhaled, inserted,etc.) into and/or onto an organism include but are not limited tomedicine, blood, bone marrow, tissue, cartilage, ligament, bone,nutritional supplement, etc. Medical substances that are introduced intoan organism may be introduced, for example, via a vein, tissue, joint,bony structure (e.g., spine), organ, digestive system, etc. of theorganism.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system and/or method for transferring information using acontainer-located module, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosedtechnologies and, together with the description, further serve toexplain the principles involved and to enable a person skilled in therelevant art(s) to make and use the disclosed technologies.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example information transfer system inaccordance with an embodiment described herein.

FIGS. 2-5 are block diagrams of example implementations of a medicalcontainer shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example implementation of an informationtransfer module shown in FIGS. 1-5 in accordance with an embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of an example method for transferringinformation in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer in which embodiments may beimplemented.

The features and advantages of the disclosed technologies will becomemore apparent from the detailed description set forth below when takenin conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference charactersidentify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, likereference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar,and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an elementfirst appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Introduction

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawingsthat illustrate example embodiments of the disclosed technologies.However, the scope of the disclosed technologies is not limited to theseembodiments, but is instead defined by the appended claims. Thus,embodiments beyond those shown in the accompanying drawings, such asmodified versions of the illustrated embodiments, may nevertheless beencompassed by the disclosed technologies.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” or the like, indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, whena particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature,structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodimentswhether or not explicitly described.

Various approaches are described herein for, among other things,transferring information using a container-located module. The module iscoupled to sensor(s) that are configured to detect characteristic(s)pertaining to a medical substance that is included in a medicalcontainer. The module wirelessly transfers information that is based onthe characteristic(s) to a requesting device when the requesting devicerequests the information. For example, the requesting device (e.g., amobile device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellulartelephone, etc.) may be tapped against the medical container to causethe information to be transferred from the module to the requestingdevice. In accordance with this example, tapping the requesting deviceagainst the medical container may initiate the request.

An example system is described that includes a medical container,sensor(s), and an information transfer module. The medical container hasan interior surface that defines an interior volume configured tocontain a medical substance. The sensor(s) are configured to detectcharacteristic(s) pertaining to the medical substance. The informationtransfer module is coupled to the sensor(s). The information transfermodule is configured to wirelessly transfer information, which is basedon at least one of the characteristic(s), to a requesting device that isexternal to the medical container in response to the requesting devicecoming within a designated proximity of the information transfer module.

Another example system is described. The system includes a medicalcontainer, sensor(s), and a near field communication (NFC) device. Themedical container has an interior surface that defines an interiorvolume configured to contain a medical substance. The sensor(s) areconfigured to detect characteristic(s) pertaining to the medicalsubstance. The NFC device is coupled to the sensor(s). The NFC device isconfigured to wirelessly transfer information, which is based on atleast one of the characteristic(s), to a near field reader in accordancewith a near field communication protocol in response to receipt of awireless signal from the near field reader.

An example method is also disclosed. In accordance with the method, awireless signal that requests information is received at an informationtransfer module, which is associated with a medical container, from arequesting device that is external to the medical container.Characteristic(s) that pertain to a medical substance that is includedin an interior volume of the medical container, which is defined by aninterior surface of the medical container, are detected using sensor(s)that are coupled to the information transfer module. The information,which is based on the characteristic(s), is wirelessly transferred tothe requesting device in response to detecting the characteristic(s).

The information transfer techniques described herein have a variety ofbenefits as compared to conventional techniques. For instance, thetechniques described herein may reduce an amount of time that isconsumed by obtaining information pertaining to a medical substance. Thetechniques may provide such information without a need to remove anyportion of the medical substance from the medical container (e.g.,without providing physical access to the medical substance). Thetechniques may be capable of performing tests and/or analyses withregard to the medical substance while the medical substance is in themedical container (e.g., while the medical substance is sealed withinthe medical container). The techniques may improve security ofinformation pertaining to medical substances by utilizing informationtransfer protocols that are characterized by relatively shorttransmission ranges (e.g., a near field communication (NFC) protocol).

II. Example Information Transfer Embodiments

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example information transfer system 100in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Generally speaking,information transfer system 100 operates to transfer information to adevice that requests the information. The information is based oncharacteristic(s) of a medical substance that are detected by sensor(s).As shown in FIG. 1, information transfer system 100 includes arequesting device 102 and a medical container 104. A medical containeris a container that is configured to contain a medical substance.Examples of a medical container include but are not limited to a Petridish, a test tube, a bag, a syringe, etc. Examples of a medicalsubstance include but are not limited to blood, feces, urine, bile, bonemarrow, muscle tissue, skin, brain tissue, cartilage, ligament, bone,medicine, nutritional supplement, etc.

Medical container 104 is associated with an information transfer module112, sensor(s) 114, and actuator(s) 116. For instance, any one or moreof the information transfer module 112, sensor(s) 114, and/oractuator(s) 116 may be contained in medical container 104, attached tomedical container 104, incorporated into a structure of medicalcontainer 104, etc. Information transfer module 112, sensor(s) 114, andactuator(s) 116 are discussed in further detail below.

Medical container 104 is shown to include a base 122 and surroundingstructure 124 for illustrative purposes and is not intended to belimiting. Base 122 is coupled to surrounding structure 124 to enablecontainer 104 to contain a medical substance, which may be associatedwith a medical treatment program of a person, for example. For example,the medical substance may have been taken from the person's body forpurposes of diagnosis of a medical problem that the person isexperiencing. In another example, the medical substance may be intendedfor introduction to the person's body for purposes of treating a medicalproblem that the person is experiencing. It will be recognized thatmedical container 104 need not necessarily include surrounding structure124. For example, medical container 104 may include base 122 withoutsurrounding structure 124, for example, if surface tension of themedical substance in a liquid state is sufficient to inhibit (e.g.,prevent) the medical substance from flowing off base 122 or if themedical substance is in a solid or semi-solid state.

Surrounding structure 124 is shown to include information transfermodule 112, sensor(s) 114, and actuator(s) 116 for illustrative purposesand is not intended to be limiting. For example, base 122 may includeany one or more of information transfer module 112, sensor(s) 114,and/or actuator(s) 116. In another example, any one or more ofinformation transfer module 112, sensor(s) 114, and/or actuator(s) 116may be included in neither base 122 nor surrounding structure 124. Inaccordance with this example, any one or more of information transfermodule 112, sensor(s) 114, and/or actuator(s) 116 may be placedproximate to base 122 and/or surrounding structure 124, affixed to base122 and/or surrounding structure 124, in a region defined by base 122and surrounding structure 124, etc. In an aspect, one or more ofinformation transfer module 112, sensor(s) 114, and/or actuator(s) 116are suspended in the medical substance when the medical substance is ina fluid state in medical container 104.

In some example embodiments, medical container 104 includes a lid (notshown). For example, the lid may be coupled (e.g., clamped, screwed,adhered, etc.) to surrounding structure 124. In another example, the lidand surrounding structure 124 may be included in unitary structure.Examples of some embodiments that include a lid are discussed below withreference to FIGS. 2-5, though it will be recognized that theembodiments depicted in FIGS. 2-5 need not necessarily include a lid.

Sensor(s) 114 are configured to detect characteristic(s) pertaining to amedical substance that is included in medical container 104. Examples ofa characteristic pertaining to a medical substance include but are notlimited to temperature, chemical composition, etc. of the medicalsubstance or an environment thereof; coloration, pH level, etc. of themedical substance; exposure of the medical substance to ambient air; andhumidity, pressure, etc. in the environment of the medical substance.

Sensor(s) 114 may be configured in any of a variety of ways. In oneexample, one or more sensors may be included in a semiconductor packagewith information transfer module 112. For instance, each of the one ormore sensors may be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor orother type of sensor. In accordance with this example, the semiconductorpackage may include at least a first layer and a second layer. Infurther accordance with this example, the first layer may include theone or more sensors, and the second layer may include informationtransfer module 112.

In another example, information transfer system 100 may include alab-on-a-chip, which includes at least one of the sensor(s) 114. Forinstance, the lab-on-a-chip may be configured to sequencedeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that is included in the medical substance.Accordingly, the lab-on-a-chip may include a nucleotide sensorconfigured to detect nucleotides that are included in the DNA. It willbe recognized that information transfer module 112 or a portion thereofmay be included in the lab-on-a-chip.

Each of actuator(s) 116 is an electrical, electronic, orelectromechanical device that is configured to perform operation(s) withregard to a medical substance that is included in medical container 104or an environment in medical container 104. Examples of such operationsinclude but are not limited to stirring and/or pumping the medicalsubstance or a solution in which the medical substance is located (e.g.,using a stirring and/or pumping motor), mixing the medical substancewith another substance to achieve a modified medical substance (e.g.,using a mixing motor), heating or cooling the medical substance or theenvironment thereof (e.g., using a heating element or a coolingelement), unsealing medical container 104 (e.g., to expose the medicalsubstance to an environment that is external to medical container 104),and shining light (e.g., using a suitable light source, such as a lightemitting diode (LED)). Such operations may be performed to initiate achemical reaction with regard to the medical substance, control a rateat which a drug is released into a fluid in the medical substance, etc.For instance, such operations may be included in a medical treatmentprogram of a person to whom the medical substance pertains. Each of theoperations may be performed continuously, periodically, or dynamicallybased on an instruction that specifies when the operation is to beperformed and/or when the operation is not to be performed. Forinstance, such an instruction may be received from a control device(e.g., requesting device 102) that is external to medical container 104.

Information transfer module 112 is a processing system that is capableof communicating with requesting device 102. An example of a processingsystem is a system that includes at least one processor that is capableof manipulating data in accordance with a set of instructions. Forinstance, a processing system may be a computer, such as amicrocontroller or a device that includes a microcontroller. In anexample embodiment, information transfer module 112 is a near fieldcommunication (NFC) device. Accordingly, information transfer module 112may operate in accordance with a NFC protocol.

Information transfer module 112 is configured to wirelessly transferinformation 110, which is based on one or more of the characteristic(s)that are detected by sensor(s) 114, to requesting device 102 in responseto a wireless request signal 108 from requesting device 102.Communication between requesting device 102 and information transfermodule 112 may be performed in accordance with any suitable technique(e.g., protocol), such as a near field communication (NFC) technique.

Information transfer module 112 communicates with sensor(s) 114 viacommunication channel 118. Such communication may be initiated byreceipt of the wireless request signal 108 by information transfermodule 112. Information transfer module 112 may selectively readsensor(s) 114 based on the wireless request signal 108. For instance,information transfer module 112 may read a first sensor that isconfigured to detect a temperature of the medical substance but not asecond sensor that is configured to detect a chemical composition of themedical substance based on the wireless request signal 108 indicatingthat the temperature of the medical substance is desired.

Information transfer module 112 communicates with actuator(s) 116 viacommunication channel 120. Such communication may be initiated byreceipt of the wireless request signal 108 by information transfermodule 112. Information transfer module 112 may selectively activateactuator(s) 116 based on the wireless request signal 108. For instance,information transfer module 112 may turn on one or more of theactuator(s) 116 and/or cause one or more of the actuator(s) 116 toperform designated operation(s) based on the wireless request signal108. For example, information transfer module 112 may activate a firstactuator that is configured to stir the medical substance but not asecond actuator that is configured to shine light on the medicalsubstance based on the wireless request signal 108 indicating that themedical substance is to be stirred before a sensor detects designatedcharacteristic(s) that pertain to the medical substance.

In an example embodiment, information transfer module 112 communicateswith sensor(s) 114 using a standardized protocol that is agnostic withregard to a type of each of the sensor(s) 114. In another exampleembodiment, information transfer module 112 communicates withactuator(s) 116 using a standardized protocol that is agnostic withregard to a type of each of the actuator(s) 116.

Requesting device 102 is a processing system that is capable ofcommunicating with information transfer module 112. Requesting device102 is configured to provide the wireless request signal 108 toinformation transfer module 112. For instance, requesting device 102 maycontinuously, periodically, or dynamically transmit the wireless requestsignal 108. In an example, the wireless request signal 108 may have apower, which decreases with distance from requesting device 102. Thus,the wireless request signal 108 may not have sufficient power to enableinformation transfer module 112 to transfer the information 110 ifrequesting device 102 is not within a designated proximity 106 toinformation transfer module 112. In accordance with this example, thewireless request signal 108 may activate information transfer module 112in response to request device 102 coming within the designated proximity106 to information transfer module 112. For instance, receipt of thewireless request signal 108 at information transfer module 112 may causeinformation transfer module 112 to turn on, to initiate retrieval ofdata regarding characteristic(s) that pertain to the medical substance,to generate the information 110 based on the data, and/or to transferthe information 110 to requesting device 102. It should be noted thatthe information 110 need not necessary be generated based on the dataregarding the characteristic(s). For instance, the information 110 maybe the same as the data (i.e., unchanged).

In an example embodiment, the designated proximity 106 is defined by atransmission range of requesting device 102. The transmission range ofrequesting device 102 is a distance from requesting device 102 beyondwhich the wireless request signal 108, which is transmitted byrequesting device 102 to enable information transfer module 112 totransfer the information 110 does not have sufficient power to enableinformation transfer module 112 to transfer the information 110 torequesting device 102.

In another example embodiment, requesting device 102 is a near fieldreader. A near field reader is a device that is configured tocommunicate with a near field communication (NFC) device. Accordingly,requesting device 102 may operate in accordance with a NFC protocol.

FIGS. 2-5 are block diagrams of medical containers 200, 300, 400, and500, which are example implementations of medical container 104 shown inFIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments described herein. As shown inFIG. 2, medical container 200 includes a supporting structure 204 and alid 202 for illustrative purposes. Supporting structure 204 includes abase and a surrounding structure, as described above with reference toFIG. 1, for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting.Supporting structure 204 has an interior surface 208 and an exteriorsurface 218. The interior surface 208 defines an interior volume 206,which is configured to contain a medical substance 220. Medicalsubstance 220 is shown in FIG. 2 to be a liquid for illustrativepurposes and is not intended to be limiting. It will be recognized thatthe medical substance 220 may be in any suitable state (e.g., gas,liquid, solid, or any combination thereof). Lid 202 has an interiorsurface 224 and an exterior surface 226. For instance, the interiorvolume 206 may be further defined by interior surface 224.

An information transfer module 212, sensor(s) 214, and actuator(s) 216are shown to be included in a common (e.g., single) package 222 forillustrative purposes. For instance, information transfer module 212,sensor(s) 214, and actuator(s) 216 may be provided on a common substratein the package 222. Information transfer module 212 is electricallycoupled to sensor(s) 214 and actuator(s) 216 by electrical connections210. The package 222 is shown to be in contact with (e.g., positionedon) interior surface 208 for illustrative purposes. Accordingly, thepackage 222, information transfer module 212, sensor(s) 214, andactuator(s) 216 are said to be associated with interior surface 208. Forinstance, the package 222 may be implemented as a sticker that is placedon interior surface 208. This is merely one configuration of the package222 and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the package 222 maybe positioned on interior surface 224, such that the package 222,information transfer module 212, sensor(s) 214, and actuator(s) 216 areassociated with interior surface 224. In another example, the package222 may be suspended in medical substance 220. In yet another example,package 222 may float on an upper surface 228 of the medical substance220. In accordance with this example, at least a portion of package 222may extend out of the medical substance 220 (e.g., above the uppersurface 228). In still another example, package 222 or a portion thereofmay be incorporated (e.g., fabricated, embedded, etc.) into supportingstructure 204 and/or lid 202.

It will be recognized that information transfer module 212, sensor(s)214, and actuator(s) 216 need not necessarily be included in a commonpackage. For instance, at least one of information transfer module 212,sensor(s) 214, and/or actuator(s) 216 may not be included in package222. Examples of some embodiments in which a common package is notutilized are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 3-5 forillustrative purposes.

Examples of a sensor include but are not limited to a temperaturesensor, a microfluidics sensor, a coloration sensor, a pH sensor, anambient air sensor, a moisture sensor, and a pressure sensor. Atemperature sensor is a sensor that is configured to detect atemperature associated with the medical substance 220. For instance, thetemperature sensor may be configured to detect a temperature of themedical substance or a temperature in interior volume 206. Amicrofluidics sensor is a sensor that is configured to detect a chemicalcomposition of the medical substance 220. For example, the microfluidicsfilter may have a series of hollow channels that have respectivediameters. For each channel, chemicals having a molecular size smallerthan a cross-section of the respective channel are capable of passingthrough the channel; chemicals having a molecular size greater than thecross-section of the respective channel are not capable of passingthrough the channel. The chemical composition of the medical substance220 may be determined by observing the molecules of the chemicals in thechannels.

A coloration sensor is a sensor that is configured to detect a color ofthe medical substance 220. For instance, the coloration sensor maydetect a proportion of each of a plurality of primary colors that areassociated with the medical substance 220. A pH sensor is a sensor thatdetects a pH level of the medical substance 220 or a solution in whichthe medical substance 220 is located. An ambient air sensor is a sensorthat is configured to detect whether the medical substance 220 has beenexposed to ambient air in interior volume 206. For instance, the ambientair sensor may be capable of detecting whether a seal of medicalcontainer 204 has been compromised (e.g., broken). A moisture sensor isa sensor that is configured to detect an amount of moisture in themedical substance 220 or an environment (e.g., atmosphere) in interiorvolume 206. For instance, the moisture sensor may detect a proportion ofthe medical substance 220 or the environment in interior volume 206 thatis moisture. Accordingly, the moisture sensor may be used to detecthumidity in interior volume 206. A pressure sensor is a sensor that isconfigured to detect a pressure in interior volume 206.

In an example embodiment in which sensor(s) 214 include a temperaturesensor, at least one of the actuator(s) 216 is configured to adjust thetemperature that is associated with the medical substance 220 inresponse to the temperature reaching a specified threshold. Thethreshold may be an upper threshold or a lower threshold. An upperthreshold represents a temperature at or above which the at least oneactuator is to attempt to cool the medical substance 220 and/or interiorvolume 206. Accordingly, the at least one actuator may be configured toreduce the temperature in response to the temperature reaching the upperthreshold. A lower threshold represents a temperature at or below whichthe at least one actuator is to attempt to heat the medical substance220 and/or interior volume 206. Accordingly, the at least one actuatormay be configured to increase the temperature in response to thetemperature reaching the lower threshold.

In another example embodiment, one or more of the sensor(s) 214 may beconfigured to change from a first state to a second state based on therespective sensor detecting a first instance of a specifiedcharacteristic pertaining to the medical substance 220. Accordingly,information transfer logic may obtain data from the sensor indicatingthat the sensor is in the second state. In accordance with thisembodiment, information transfer logic 212 may be configured to resetthe sensor from the second state to the first state in response toobtaining the data. For instance, resetting the sensor to the firststate may enable the sensor to be re-used to detect a second instance ofthe specified characteristic at a time subsequent to the sensordetecting the first instance of the specified characteristic. In oneexample implementation, a short circuit indicates the first state, andan open circuit indicates the second state. In another exampleimplementation, an open circuit indicates the first state, and a shortcircuit indicates the second state.

As shown in FIG. 3, medical container 300 includes a supportingstructure 304 and a lid 302 for illustrative purposes. Supportingstructure 304 has an interior surface 308 and an exterior surface 318.The interior surface 308 defines an interior volume 306, which isconfigured to contain a medical substance 320. Lid 302 has an interiorsurface 324 and an exterior surface 326. For instance, the interiorvolume 306 may be further defined by interior surface 324.

An information transfer module 312 is coupled to sensor(s) 314 andactuator(s) 316 via a communication link 310. Communications betweeninformation transfer module 312 and sensor(s) 314 may be isolated fromcommunications between information transfer module 312 and actuator(s)316, and vice versa. Information transfer module 312 and sensor(s) 314are shown to be included in supporting structure 304. Informationtransfer module 312 has a surface that is coincident with exteriorsurface 318 for illustrative purposes, though it will be recognized thatinformation transfer module 312 may extend out of supporting structure304 (e.g., beyond exterior surface 318). Sensor(s) 314 have a surfacethat is coincident with interior surface 308 for illustrative purposes,though it will be recognized that any one or more of sensor(s) 314 mayextend out of supporting structure 304 (e.g., beyond interior surface308).

Actuator(s) 316 are shown to be external to supporting structure 304.Actuator(s) 316 are positioned in interior volume 306 and have a surfacethat is coincident with interior surface 308, though it will berecognized that any one or more of actuator(s) 316 may extend intosupporting structure 304 (e.g., beyond interior surface 308).

As described above, sensor(s) 314 have a surface that is coincident withinterior surface 208, and actuator(s) have a surface that is coincidentwith interior surface 208. Accordingly, sensor(s) 314 and actuator(s)316 are said to be associated with interior surface 308. It will berecognized that having a surface that is coincident with interiorsurface 308 is merely one way in which a component (e.g., informationtransfer module 312, sensor(s) 314, and/or actuator(s) 316 may beassociated with interior surface 308. For example, any one or more ofinformation transfer module 312, sensor(s) 314, and/or actuator(s) 316may be associated with interior surface 308 by being positioned in theinterior volume 306 by a support element that extends into the interiorvolume 306 from interior surface 308. In another example, any one ormore of information transfer module 312, sensor(s) 314, and/oractuator(s) 316 may be associated with interior surface 308 by beingsurrounded by interior surface 308 even if not coupled to interiorsurface 308. In yet another example, any one or more of sensor(s) 314may be associated with interior surface 308 by being configured todetect characteristic(s) pertaining to the medical substance 320 throughinterior surface 308.

It will be recognized by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) thatinformation transfer module 312 and/or any one or more of sensor(s) 314may be included in or positioned on lid 302. For instance, informationtransfer module 312 and/or any one or more of sensor(s) 314 may have asurface that is coincident with interior surface 324 or exterior surface326. It will be further recognized that information transfer module 312and/or any one or more of sensor(s) 312 may be embedded withinsupporting structure 304 and/or lid 302. An item is embedded in astructure if the item is included in the structure and none of thesurfaces of the item touch (e.g., intersect) a surface of the structure.

As shown in FIG. 4, medical container 400 includes a supportingstructure 404 and a lid 402 for illustrative purposes. Supportingstructure 404 has an interior surface 408 and an exterior surface 418.The interior surface 408 defines an interior volume 406, which isconfigured to contain a medical substance 420. Lid 402 has an interiorsurface 424 and an exterior surface 426.

An information transfer module 412 is coupled to sensor(s) 414 andactuator(s) 416 via a communication channel 410. Information transfermodule 412 and sensor(s) 414 are shown to be embedded in supportingstructure 404, such that no surfaces of information transfer module 412and no surfaces of sensor(s) 414 touch interior surface 408 or exteriorsurface 418.

In some example embodiments, information transfer module 412 and/orsensor(s) 414 are embedded in lid 402, such that no surfaces ofinformation transfer module 412 and no surfaces of sensor(s) 414 touchinterior surface 424 or exterior surface 426.

As shown in FIG. 5, medical container 500 includes a supportingstructure 504 and a lid 502 for illustrative purposes. Supportingstructure 504 has an interior surface 508, which defines an interiorvolume 506 that is configured to contain a medical substance 520. Lid502 has an interior surface 524 and an exterior surface 526.

An information transfer module 512 is communicatively connected tosensor(s) 514 and actuator(s) 516 via tangible electrical conductors510. Information transfer module 512 is located externally to lid 502and attached to exterior surface 526 of lid 502. Sensor(s) 514 andactuator(s) 516 are located in interior volume 506. Sensor(s) 514 areattached to interior surface 524 of lid 502. Actuator(s) 516 arestructurally connected to lid 502 via a structural member 530. At leastone of the tangible electrical conductors 510 extends along (e.g., in,on, through, etc.) structural member 530 to communicatively connectinformation transfer module 512 and actuator(s) 516. Structural member530 may be configured to place actuator(s) 530 within a specifiedproximity of the medical substance 520 (e.g., in the medical substance520). For instance, actuator(s) 516 are shown in FIG. 5 to be positionedin the medical substance 520 (e.g., beneath an upper surface 528 of themedical substance 520), though the example embodiments are not limitedin this respect.

In an example embodiment in which sensor(s) 514 include a pressuresensor, information transfer logic 512 may be configured to determine astate of the medical substance 520 and/or an amount of the medicalsubstance 520 that is included in interior volume 506 based on apressure that is detected by the pressure sensor. For instance, thestate of the medical substance 520 may be a gaseous state, a liquidstate, or a solid state. For example, the pressure sensor may detect afirst pressure at a first time and a second pressure at a second time.Information transfer module 512 may be configured to determine a rate atwhich the medical substance 520 is being consumed based on a differencebetween the first pressure and the second pressure.

It will be recognized that the structures shown in FIGS. 2-5 need notnecessarily include all structural elements depicted therein. Forinstance, actuators 216, 316, 416, and 516, lids 202, 302, 402, and 502,etc. need not be included with regard to FIGS. 2-5. Moreover, suchstructures may include structural elements in addition to or in lieu ofthe structural elements depicted therein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram an information transfer module 600, which isan example implementation of information transfer modules 112, 212, 312,412, and 512 shown in FIGS. 1-5, in accordance with an embodimentdescribed herein. As shown in FIG. 6, information transfer module 600includes an antenna 602, field power logic 604, a ground terminal 606,radio frequency (RF) physical layer (PHY) logic 608, processing logic610, volatile memory 618, non-volatile memory 620, a sensor interface622, and an actuator interface 624.

Antenna 602 is configured to detect a wireless request signal (e.g.,wireless request signal 108). For example, antenna 602 may detect thewireless request signal in response to a requesting device (e.g.,requesting device 102) from which the wireless request signal isreceived coming within a designated proximity (e.g., designatedproximity 106) of information transfer module 600. Antenna 602 isfurther configured to transmit a wireless information signal, whichincludes information (e.g., information 110) that is specified in thewireless request signal. For instance, antenna 602 may be tuned todetect and transmit signals in a frequency range that is defined by adesignated protocol, such as a near field communication (NFC) protocol.

Field power logic 604 is configured to store energy from the wirelessrequest signal that is received at antenna 602. For instance, fieldpower logic 604 may include one or more charge pumps to store theenergy. Field power logic 604 is configured to power informationtransfer module 600 using the stored energy. Accordingly, field powerlogic 604 acts as a power source that provides sufficient power forinformation transfer module 600 to transfer the information that isspecified in the wireless request signal. For instance, field powerlogic 604 may power information transfer module 600 using the energyform the wireless request signal in absence of information transfermodule 600 being powered by a battery.

Ground terminal 606 is an electrical ground that is connected tocircuitry (e.g., charge pump(s)) in field power logic 604. Groundterminal 606 may be “on-chip” or “off-chip” with regard to informationtransfer module 600. If ground terminal 606 is “on-chip”, groundterminal 606 is included on a semiconductor chip on which theinformation transfer module is fabricated. If ground terminal 606 is“off-chip”, ground terminal 606 is not included on a semiconductor chipon which the information transfer module is fabricated.

RF PHY logic 608 is configured to detect a carrier signal that isincluded in the wireless request signal that is received at antenna 602.RF PHY logic 608 is further configured to modulate a carrier that isincluded in the wireless information signal that is transmitted byantenna 602.

Processing logic 610 is configured to perform processing operations withregarding to data and/or instructions that are received via antenna 602(e.g., in a wireless request signal), via sensor interface 622 (e.g.,from sensor(s) 114), via actuator interface 624 (e.g., from actuator(s)116), etc. For instance, processing logic 610 may selectively modifydata that is received via sensor interface 622 and/or actuator interface624 based on a modification instruction that is received via antenna602.

Processing logic 610 includes security logic 612, microcontroller 614,and state machine 616. Security logic 612 is configured to de-crypt dataand instructions that are included in the wireless request signal forfurther processing by microcontroller 614. Security logic 612 is furtherconfigured to encrypt the information that is to be included in thewireless information signal for transmission via antenna 602.

In an example embodiment, security logic 612 is configured to determinewhether a requester identifier that is included in the wireless requestsignal matches a reference identifier. In accordance with thisembodiment, security logic 612 is further configured to enable thewireless transfer of the wireless information signal via antenna 602 inresponse to the requester identifier matching the reference identifier.In further accordance with this embodiment, security logic 612 isfurther configured to not enable (e.g., to inhibit, to prevent, etc.)the wireless transfer of the wireless information signal via antenna 602in response to the requester identifier not matching the referenceidentifier. For example, the requester identifier may indicate whetherthe wireless request signal is from a requesting device and/or userthereof that is authenticated and/or authorized to receive the wirelessinformation signal. In accordance with this example, the requesteridentifier matching the reference identifier may indicate that therequesting device and/or user from which the wireless request signal wasreceived is authenticated and/or authorized to receive the wirelessinformation signal.

It should be noted that a requesting device may use similar securitytechnology. For instance, the requesting device may selectively requestinformation from information transfer module 600 based on anauthentication key that is associated with information transfer module600 (e.g., in an attempt to avoid having the requesting devicemistakenly authorize dispensing of a drug, in an attempt to avoidreceiving information from information transfer module 600 when a sensorcoupled to information transfer module 600 is disabled, etc.).

Microcontroller 614 includes a processor core, which includes one ormore processors (e.g., hardware processors). Microcontroller may alsoinclude memory (e.g., Flash, ROM, RAM, etc.), and/or input/outputperipherals. Microcontroller 614 provides instructions to state machine616 to control operations that state machine 616 performs with regard tosensor(s) via sensor interface 622 and/or actuator(s) via actuatorinterface 624. For example, microcontroller 614 may program statemachine 616 to read a designated subset (e.g., all) of the sensor(s)and/or in a designated order based on the wireless request signal thatis received at antenna 602. In accordance with this example,microcontroller 614 may program state machine 616 to wait a specifiedtime after providing a stimulus to a sensor before reading the sensor.For instance, microcontroller 614 may program state machine 616 toprovide a first stimulus to a first sensor at a first time, wait a firstamount of time, and read the first sensor; provide a second stimulus toa second sensor, wait a second amount of time, and read the secondsensor; and so on.

In another example, microcontroller 614 may program state machine 616 tocause a designated subset (e.g., all) of the actuator(s) to performtheir respective functions and/or in a designated order based on thewireless request signal. In accordance with this example,microcontroller 614 may program state machine 616 to wait a specifiedtime after causing an actuator to perform its function before causinganother actuator to perform its function. For instance, microcontroller614 may program state machine 616 to cause a first actuator to initiateperformance of its function, wait a first amount of time, cause a secondactuator to initiate performance of its function, wait a second amountof time, and so on.

It will be recognized that microcontroller 614 may provide instructionsdirectly to sensor(s) via sensor interface 622 and/or directly toactuator(s) via actuator interface 624 in addition to or in lieu ofproviding the aforementioned instructions to state machine 616.

State machine 616 is configured to read data from sensor(s) and storesuch data is memory (e.g., volatile memory 618 and/or non-volatilememory 620). State machine 616 may be further configured to causeactuator(s) to perform operations for which the actuator(s) areconfigured. It will be recognized that state machine 616 may receivedata from the actuator(s) regarding functionality thereof (e.g., anindication whether a specified operation is performed). State machine616 may store such data in memory.

Sensor interface 622 allows microcontroller 614 and state machine 616 tocommunicate with sensor(s). Actuator interface 624 allowsmicrocontroller 614 and state machine 616 to communicate withactuator(s). Sensor interface 622 and/or actuator interface 624 mayinclude any of a variety of components, such as an analog to digitalconverter.

In some example embodiments, sensor(s) are passive, such thatinformation transfer module 600 need not necessarily provide power tothe sensor(s). In other example embodiments, sensor(s) are active. Inaccordance with these embodiments, information transfer module 600provides some of the energy that is stored by field power logic 604 tothe sensor(s) via sensor interface 622 to power the sensor(s). Forinstance, microcontroller 614 may provide such energy via sensorinterface 622. The energy provided by information transfer module 600may enable the sensor(s) to detect specified characteristic(s).

In an example embodiment, volatile memory 618 and/or non-volatile memory620 store a logic identifier that identifies information transfer module600. In accordance with this embodiment, processing logic 610 retrievesthe logic identifier from volatile memory 618 and/or non-volatile memory620 and includes the logic identifier in the wireless information signalor a signal that is associated therewith for transmission via antenna602. For instance, the logic identifier may indicate that theinformation is from information transfer module 600.

In another example embodiment, volatile memory 618 and/or non-volatilememory 620 stores designated data, which includes patient data (name,age, blood type, medical history, etc.) regarding a patient who isassociated with a medical substance, doctor data (e.g., name, specialty,hospital affiliation(s), etc.) regarding a doctor who is treating thepatient, and/or treatment data regarding a treatment that the patient isto receive with regarding to the medical substance. For example, thetreatment data may indicate a prescription. In another example, if themedical substance is a drug, the treatment data may specify the name ofthe drug. In accordance with this embodiment, processing logic 610retrieves at least some of the designated data from volatile memory 618and/or non-volatile memory 620 and includes such data in the wirelessinformation signal or a signal that is associated therewith fortransmission via antenna 602. For instance, the data may indicate thatthe information is associated with the patient, the doctor, and/or thetreatment.

In accordance with this embodiment, the designated data may be utilizedby a requesting device to remotely authorize taking of medication. Forexample, the designated data may specify the medication. In accordancewith this example, information transfer module 600 may receive adispensing instruction from the requesting device in response toinformation transfer module 600 providing the designated data to therequesting device. The dispensing instruction may specify a dose of themedication to be dispensed. Processing logic 610 may control an actuatorvia actuator interface 624 to cause the actuator to dispense thespecified dose of the mediation. Accordingly, information transfermodule 600 may serve as an automatic pharmacy to dispense specifieddoses of a medication at specified times, wherein the specified dosesand specified times are indicated by wireless request signals that arereceived by information transfer module 600 from requesting device(s).

In yet another example embodiment, processing logic 610 performs a test(e.g., a glucose test) with regard to a medical substance usingsensor(s) (e.g., one or more of sensor(s) 114) to provide a test result.Processing logic 610 (e.g., microcontroller 614) may cause theinformation that is included in the wireless information signal toinclude the test result.

In still another example embodiment, information transfer module 600 isa near field communication (NFC) device. In accordance with thisembodiment, antenna 602 is a NFC coil. An NFC coil is a coil that isconfigured to transmit and/or receive signals in accordance with an NFCprotocol.

It will be recognized that information transfer module 600 may notinclude one or more of antenna 602, field power logic 604, groundterminal 606, RF PHY logic 608, processing logic 610, security logic612, microcontroller 614, state machine 616, volatile memory 618,non-volatile memory 620, sensor interface 622, and/or actuator interface624. Furthermore, information transfer module 600 may include elementsin addition to or in lieu of antenna 602, field power logic 604, groundterminal 606, RF PHY logic 608, processing logic 610, security logic612, microcontroller 614, state machine 616, volatile memory 618,non-volatile memory 620, sensor interface 622, and/or actuator interface624. For instance, in an example embodiment, information transfer module600 includes at least one battery. In accordance with this embodiment,the at least one battery may power information transfer module 600 usingenergy that is stored in the at least one battery. Accordingly, energyfrom the wireless request signal need not necessarily be used to powerinformation transfer module 600.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart 700 of an example method for transferringinformation in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Flowchart700 may be performed by information transfer system 100 shown in FIG. 1,for example. Accordingly, flowchart 700 is described with respect toinformation transfer system 100. Further structural and operationalembodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s)based on the discussion regarding flowchart 700.

At step 702, a wireless signal that requests information is received atan information transfer module, which is associated with a medicalcontainer, from a requesting device that is external to the medicalcontainer. For instance, the wireless signal may be received in responseto the requesting device coming within a designated proximity to theinformation transfer module. In an example implementation, informationtransfer module 112 receives wireless request signal 108 from requestingdevice 102, which is external to medical container 104. The wirelessrequest signal 108 requests information 110.

At step 704, characteristic(s) that pertain to a medical substance thatis included in an interior volume of the medical container are detectedusing sensor(s) that are coupled to the information transfer module. Theinterior volume is defined by an interior surface of the medicalcontainer. In an example implementation, sensor(s) 114, which arecoupled to information transfer module 112, detect characteristic(s)that pertain to a medical substance that is included in an interiorvolume of medical container 104.

At step 706, the information, which is based on the characteristic(s),is wirelessly transferred to the requesting device. For instance, theinformation transfer module may generate the information based on thecharacteristic(s). In an example implementation, information transfermodule 112 wirelessly transfers the information 110 to requesting device102.

In some example embodiments, one or more steps 702, 704, and/or 706 offlowchart 700 may not be performed. Moreover, steps in addition to or inlieu of steps 702, 704, and/or 706 may be performed.

In some example embodiments, a medical container that is associated withan information transfer module is discarded after the informationtransfer module is used to transfer information to a requesting device.In other example embodiments, the medical container is capable of beingre-used after the information transfer module transfers suchinformation. For instance, sensor(s) and/or actuator(s) associated withthe medical container may be reset (e.g., automatically reset) torespective specified (e.g., predetermined) state(s) after suchinformation is transferred by the information transfer module. In someexample embodiments, an information transfer module is capable of beingremoved from a medical container with which the information transfermodule is associated, cleaned (e.g., hermetically sealed), and re-usedwith the same or another medical container.

It will be recognized that requesting device 102, information transfermodule 112, sensor(s) 114, and actuator(s) 116 depicted in FIG. 1;information transfer module 212, sensor(s) 214, and actuator(s) 216depicted in FIG. 2; information transfer module 312, sensor(s) 314, andactuator(s) 316 depicted in FIG. 3; information transfer module 412,sensor(s) 414, and actuator(s) 416 depicted in FIG. 4; informationtransfer module 512, sensor(s) 514, and actuator(s) 516 depicted in FIG.5; and field power logic 604, RF PHY logic 608, processing logic 610,security logic 612, microcontroller 614, and state machine 616 depictedin FIG. 6 may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof.

For example, requesting device 102, information transfer module 112,sensor(s) 114, actuator(s) 116, information transfer module 212,sensor(s) 214, actuator(s) 216, information transfer module 312,sensor(s) 314, actuator(s) 316, information transfer module 412,sensor(s) 414, actuator(s) 416, information transfer module 512,sensor(s) 514, actuator(s) 516, field power logic 604, RF PHY logic 608,processing logic 610, security logic 612, microcontroller 614, and/orstate machine 616 may be implemented as computer program code configuredto be executed in one or more processors.

In another example, requesting device 102, information transfer module112, sensor(s) 114, actuator(s) 116, information transfer module 212,sensor(s) 214, actuator(s) 216, information transfer module 312,sensor(s) 314, actuator(s) 316, information transfer module 412,sensor(s) 414, actuator(s) 416, information transfer module 512,sensor(s) 514, actuator(s) 516, field power logic 604, RF PHY logic 608,processing logic 610, security logic 612, microcontroller 614, and/orstate machine 616 may be implemented as hardware logic/electricalcircuitry.

For instance, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer 800 in whichembodiments may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 8, computer 800includes one or more processors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs)),such as processor 806. Processor 806 may include requesting device 102,information transfer module 112, sensor(s) 114, and/or actuator(s) 116of FIG. 1; information transfer module 212, sensor(s) 214, and/oractuator(s) 216 of FIG. 2; information transfer module 312, sensor(s)314, and/or actuator(s) 316 of FIG. 3; information transfer module 412,sensor(s) 414, and/or actuator(s) 416 of FIG. 4; information transfermodule 512, sensor(s) 514, and/or actuator(s) 516 of FIG. 5; and/orfield power logic 604, RF PHY logic 608, processing logic 610, securitylogic 612, microcontroller 614, and/or state machine 616 of FIG. 6; orany portion or combination thereof, for example, though the scope of theexample embodiments is not limited in this respect. Processor 806 isconnected to a communication infrastructure 802, such as a communicationbus. In some example embodiments, processor 806 can simultaneouslyoperate multiple computing threads.

Computer 800 also includes a primary or main memory 808, such as arandom access memory (RAM). Main memory has stored therein control logic824 (computer software), and data.

Computer 800 also includes one or more secondary storage devices 810.Secondary storage devices 810 include, for example, a hard disk drive812 and/or a removable storage device or drive 814, as well as othertypes of storage devices, such as memory cards and memory sticks. Forinstance, computer 800 may include an industry standard interface, suchas a universal serial bus (USB) interface for interfacing with devicessuch as a memory stick. Removable storage drive 814 represents a floppydisk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an opticalstorage device, tape backup, etc.

Removable storage drive 814 interacts with a removable storage unit 816.Removable storage unit 816 includes a computer useable or readablestorage medium 818 (e.g., a non-transitory medium) having stored thereincomputer software 826 (control logic) and/or data. Removable storageunit 816 represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disc (CD),digital versatile disc (DVD), Blue-ray disc, optical storage disk,memory stick, memory card, or any other computer data storage device.Removable storage drive 814 reads from and/or writes to removablestorage unit 816 in a well known manner.

Computer 800 also includes input/output devices 804, which may includeany one or more of sensor(s) 114, 214, 314, 414, and/or 514 and/or anyone or more of actuator(s) 116, 216, 316, 416, and/or 516, for example.

Computer 800 further includes a communication or network interface 820.Communication interface 820 enables computer 800 to communicate withremote devices. For example, communication interface 820 allows computer800 to communicate over communication networks or mediums 822(representing a form of a computer useable or readable medium), such aslocal area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), the Internet,cellular networks, etc. Network interface 820 may interface with remotesites or networks via wired or wireless connections.

Control logic 828 may be transmitted to and from computer 800 via thecommunication medium 822.

Any apparatus or manufacture comprising a computer useable or readablemedium having control logic (software) stored therein is referred toherein as a computer program product or program storage device. Thisincludes, but is not limited to, computer 800, main memory 808,secondary storage devices 810, and removable storage unit 816. Suchcomputer program products, having control logic stored therein that,when executed by one or more data processing devices, cause such dataprocessing devices to operate as described herein, represent embodimentsof the disclosed technologies.

Devices in which embodiments may be implemented may include storage,such as storage drives, memory devices, and further types ofcomputer-readable media. Examples of such computer-readable storagemedia include a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removableoptical disk, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random accessmemories (RAMs), read only memories (ROM), and the like. As used herein,the terms “computer program medium” and “computer-readable medium” areused to generally refer to the hard disk associated with a hard diskdrive, a removable magnetic disk, a removable optical disk (e.g.,CDROMs, DVDs, etc.), zip disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices,micro-electromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) storage devices,nanotechnology-based storage devices, as well as other media such asflash memory cards, digital video discs, RAM devices, ROM devices, andthe like.

Such computer-readable storage media are distinguished from andnon-overlapping with communication media. Communication media typicallyembodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave.The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more ofits characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Example embodiments are also directedto such communication media.

Such computer-readable storage media may store program modules thatinclude computer program logic for requesting device 102, informationtransfer module 112, sensor(s) 114, actuator(s) 116, informationtransfer module 212, sensor(s) 214, actuator(s) 216, informationtransfer module 312, sensor(s) 314, actuator(s) 316, informationtransfer module 412, sensor(s) 414, actuator(s) 416, informationtransfer module 512, sensor(s) 514, actuator(s) 516, field power logic604, RF PHY logic 608, processing logic 610, security logic 612,microcontroller 614, and/or state machine 616, and/or flowchart 700(including any one or more steps of flowchart 700); and/or furtherembodiments described herein. Some example embodiments are directed tocomputer program products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form ofprogram code or software) stored on any computer useable medium. Suchprogram code, when executed in one or more processors, causes a deviceto operate as described herein.

The disclosed technologies can be put into practice using software,firmware, and/or hardware implementations other than those describedherein. Any software, firmware, and hardware implementations suitablefor performing the functions described herein can be used.

III. Conclusion

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and details may be made to theembodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the disclosed technologies as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, the breadth and scope of the disclosed technologies shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a medical container havingan interior surface that defines an interior volume configured tocontain a medical substance; at least one sensor that is associated withthe interior surface and that is configured to detect one or morecharacteristics pertaining to the medical substance; and a near fieldcommunication device that is coupled to the at least one sensor and thatis configured to wirelessly transfer information, which is based on atleast one of the one or more characteristics, to a near field reader inaccordance with a near field communication protocol in response toreceipt of a wireless signal from the near field reader.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises: a microfluidicssensor configured to detect a chemical composition of the medicalsubstance.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensorcomprises: a first sensor configured to detect whether the medicalsubstance is exposed to ambient air within the interior volume.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises: at leastone microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor; and wherein the systemcomprises: a semiconductor package that includes at least a first layerand a second layer, the first layer including the at least one MEMSsensor and the second layer including the near field communicationdevice.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensorcomprises: a first sensor configured to change from a first state to asecond state based on the first sensor detecting a first instance of afirst characteristic of the one or more characteristics; and wherein theinformation transfer module comprises: processing logic configured toreset the first sensor from the second state to the first state toenable the first sensor to be re-used to detect a second instance of thefirst characteristic at a time subsequent to the first sensor detectingthe first instance of the first characteristic.
 6. A system comprising:a medical container having an interior surface that defines an interiorvolume configured to contain a medical substance; at least one sensorthat is associated with the interior surface and that is configured todetect one or more characteristics pertaining to the medical substance;and an information transfer module that is coupled to the at least onesensor and that is configured to wirelessly transfer information, whichis based on at least one of the one or more characteristics, to arequesting device that is external to the medical container in responseto the requesting device coming within a designated proximity of theinformation transfer module.
 7. The system of claim 6, comprising alab-on-a-chip that is configured to sequence deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)that is included in the medical substance; wherein the lab-on-a-chipincludes a nucleotide sensor configured to detect nucleotides that areincluded in the DNA; and wherein the at least one sensor includes thenucleotide sensor.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least onesensor comprises: a temperature sensor configured to detect atemperature associated with the medical substance; and wherein thesystem further comprises: an actuator configured to adjust thetemperature in response to the temperature reaching a specifiedthreshold.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the information transfermodule communicates with the at least one sensor using a standardizedprotocol that is agnostic with regard to a type of each of the at leastone sensor.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the information transfermodule comprises: field power logic configured to store energy from awireless request signal that is received from the requesting device inresponse to the requesting device coming within the designated proximityof the information transfer module; and wherein the field power logic isfurther configured to power the information transfer module using theenergy from the wireless request signal in absence of the informationtransfer module being powered by a battery.
 11. The system of claim 6,wherein the information transfer module comprises: a near fieldcommunication (NFC) coil that receives a wireless request signal fromthe requesting device in response to the requesting device coming withinthe designated proximity of the information transfer module; andprocessing logic that obtains data regarding the at least one of the oneor more characteristics from the at least one sensor in response toreceipt of the wireless request signal; wherein the information transfermodule wirelessly transfers the information to the requesting device viathe near field communication coil.
 12. The system of claim 6, whereinthe information transfer module comprises: security logic configured todetermine whether a requester identifier that is included in a wirelessrequest signal that is received from the requesting device matches areference identifier; wherein the security logic is further configuredto enable the wireless transfer of the information to the requestingdevice in response to the requester identifier matching the referenceidentifier; and wherein the security logic is further configured to notenable the wireless transfer of the information to the requesting devicein response to the requester identifier not matching the referenceidentifier.
 13. The system of claim 6, wherein the information transfermodule comprises: memory that stores a logic identifier that identifiesthe information transfer module; and wherein the information transfermodule wirelessly transfers the logic identifier along with theinformation to the requesting device to indicate that the information isfrom the information transfer module.
 14. The system of claim 6, whereinthe system further comprises: an actuator positioned in the volume andconfigured to perform at least one of a stir operation or a pumpoperation with regard to the medical substance.
 15. The system of claim6, wherein the information transfer module comprises: memory that storesdesignated data, the designated data including at least one of patientdata regarding a patient who is associated with the medical substance,doctor data regarding a doctor who is treating the patient, or treatmentdata regarding a treatment that the patient is to receive with regardingto the medical substance; and wherein the information transfer modulewirelessly transfers the designated data along with the information tothe requesting device.
 16. A method comprising: receiving a wirelesssignal that requests information at an information transfer module,which is associated with a medical container, from a requesting devicethat is external to the medical container; detecting one or morecharacteristics that pertain to a medical substance that is included inan interior volume of the medical container using at least one sensorthat is coupled to the information transfer module, the interior volumebeing defined by an interior surface of the medical container; andwirelessly transferring the information, which is based on the one ormore characteristics, to the requesting device in response to detectingthe one or more characteristics.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thedesignated proximity is defined by a transmission range of therequesting device, the transmission range being a distance from therequesting device beyond which the wireless signal, which is transmittedby the requesting device to enable the information transfer module totransfer the information, does not have sufficient power to enable theinformation transfer module to wirelessly transfer the information tothe requesting device.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving thewireless signal comprises: receiving the wireless signal in response tothe requesting device coming within the designated proximity to theinformation transfer module; and wherein the method further comprises:reading the one or more characteristics from the at least one sensor inan order that is specified by the wireless signal.
 19. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising: powering the information transfer moduleusing energy from the wireless signal; wherein the powering theinformation transfer module using the energy from the wireless signalenables the information transfer module to wirelessly transfer theinformation in absence of the information transfer module being poweredby a battery.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting the one ormore characteristics comprises: detecting a pressure within the interiorvolume; wherein the method further comprises: determining at least oneof a state or an amount of the medical substance that is included in theinterior volume based on the pressure; and wherein the state is agaseous state, a liquid state, or a solid state.